All About M.E. by Julie van der Laan

March 5 to 31, 2018, at the Minto Arts Gallery

“All About M.E.” by artist Julie van der Laan will open your eyes to what you can’t see.

Julie’s art is more than just paint on canvas. It’s colourful pain on her bare soul after a diagnosis in 2015 of M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis). Julie is a self-taught, acrylic abstract artist and is best known for her uncommon colour combinations and her knack for textures.

As her days are now filled with minute-by-minute decision-making, she chooses to paint thoughtlessly. She lets the paint make its own decisions. That way, she can take a break from the harsh realities of her new life. Painting quiets her mind and body and uplifts her soul, even if only for a brief moment.

Julie’s duty with her art is to bring awareness to her illness and all other invisible illnesses. She wants people to see that something beautiful can come out of something terrifying and cruel.

This show will make you think twice about making assumptions of people and be mindful that everyone is dealing with their own struggle.